NJBA Weekly Newsletter Friday, November 16, 2007

SESAC TV Music Contracts Expire

The TV Music License Committee notified all local TV stations that the license to play SESAC Music on TV expires December 31. The Committee has been meeting with the music licensing organization and reports no progress. A November meeting is scheduled to try and work out the impasse.  If an agreement cannot be reached for the industry as a whole, each TV station will be required to negotiate individually with SESAC. Unlike ASCAP and BMI, there is no right to a copyright rate court determination of reasonable license terms. SESAC has told the committee that it prefers to negotiate with individual stations. As of today, the parties are far apart on rates.  

FCC Unveils It’s Pirate Radio Web Site

Enforcement Bureau’s George Dillon tells QuickNews that the new FCC beta test site for reporting Pirate Radio Stations is up and running.  If you want to inform the FCC about any pirates, simply use the FCC‘s ‘new web site, (www.fcc.gov/eb/PIRIX).  If you have any suggestions to improve the site, please let us know.  Report Pirates regularly and frequently. 

No Changes for Rules for Radio

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin announced he is opposed to changing ownership rules for Radio. If Martin has his way, Radio will live under the same rules tomorrow that they have today. The big change is Martin’s desire to eliminate the FCC Cross ownership prohibition regarding Newspapers and TV in the 20 major markets. Further, the top four TV stations in a market will not qualify for the ownership change.

Greater Media Buys Charlotte Stations

For the first time in many years, Greater Media purchased a cluster of three radio stations in the Charlotte, NC market from Lincoln Financial. The multi-million dollar cash deal is the first time GMI has made any purchases outside the markets they are currently in. Greater Media is privately held by Ms. Lee Bordes and her family. The President/CEO is Peter Smyth. 

R@dio and the Internet, Perfect Together

Conference Chairman, John Mozes announced the theme of the conference. The focus is on the Internet and how R@dio and the Internet are powerful together.  Programming will highlight, “how text messaging fits into your programming and promotions?”  Sean Luce will enlighten sellers on “how to sell r@dio and the internet in one package”; the Engineering Session will focus on improving the signal on your website” and “how to improve streaming audio” and Management will learn about streaming rights and costs.  Save the date, June 2-3, 2008 at Caesars Atlantic City.